In 1982, Nikon introduced the
FM2. It has a new breakthrough in shutter design that has extended the upper shutter
speed limit of commercially available SLRs to 1/4000 sec, while in the mean time,
boost the sync speed to 1/200 sec. The shutter was used in a few of the camera models
like the FE2, early versions of Nikon FM2n
and the NikonFA. Up to 1988, where along with the
development of the F 801 and the professional F4, Nikon has developed a newer shutter
design which claimed to have a more stable performance, the famous Titanium shutter
was finally replaced with an aluminum alloy version for the FM2n in 1989. The shutter
was so sucessful that Nikon FM3a
which was introduced in 2002 was also using virtually the same shutter design.

Those days, it was considered
a barrier where common mid-priced models were limiting the shutter speed at either
1/2000 sec or more commonly, with 1/1000 sec. Generally, the pro-oriented models
were employed with horizontally traveled shutter curtain as opposed to vertical traveled
shutter. Thus, the breakthrough was generally considered as 'extraordinary', after
all, it was also the first vertically traveling honeycombed titanium shutter. Because,
to increase the shutter speed to 1/4000 second, it was necessary to reduce the traveling
mass of the shutter curtains. Titanium was chosen, because it has a low specific
gravity. It is over one third lower than other metal alloys, secondly, Nikon has
a long tradition of using Titanium as the choice of material for the professional
F models in Nikon F,
F2 series
and up to the stage of Nikon F3
and thus, developed a wealth of experience and knowledge relating to its metal characteristic.
After all, in terms of marketing, the metal's natural behavior is synonymous with
strength and durability, and it gel along with Nikon's product identity, why not
?

The Titanium shutter design was
a pride of the Nikon technical team. Facts remained it was the core shutter used
for many of the midrange Nikon models. Nikon has produced many of these souvenir
to stamp users' confidence. This
is one of the very well kept display model by one of the dealer. Unfortunately, it
was sealed at all corners and un able to take a closer look due to reflection.One has to remember that
during the early part of the eighties, there are still some camera companies still
make their shutters from cloth or silk, which could or may mildew and tear under
the extremes of weather condition. However, the use of metal alloy is gaining momentum,
so did the vertical traveled shutter concept. That is why, the effort was generally
considered a positive move especially by a relatively conservative company like Nikon.

Credit: Mr. Michael Tan of Pertama
Photo Tel: 2926505

Prior to the FM2, the Nikon
FM, as with the earlier mechanical or electronic bodies like the FT3, the EL2 and
the Nikon FE were using copal shutter. The Titanium shutter curtains introduced,
are etched in a unusually looking, modified honeycomb pattern. The etching reduces
their thickness, thus reducing their weight by nearly 60%. The honeycomb structure
also increases the rigidity of the curtains, so no warping results that could allow
light to leak in. For added strength, the curtains are treated through a special
nitrite process. To minimize friction, the shutter bearing is made using a special
oilless metal This ensures stable performance even at very low temperatures. Finally,
the shutter curtain brakes have been enlarged to maintain bounce-free stops at all
speeds. The overall result is not only a shutter that's twice as fast as the earlier
models. Not many users aware that even within the same titanium honeycombed pattern,
Nikon has went through several improvement to enhance its performance and reliability.
Most significant was, of cause the upgrade in the sync speed of 1/250 sec from the
original X200 (Appeared on the shutter speed scale of the FM2 as a separate shutter
speed setting) - first seen in the FE2 and the followed by the multimode FA and the
FM2 was eventually used the improved curtain which boosted a slightly higher sync
in 1/250 sec. with the titanium shutter (Replaced with Aluminum Alloy in 1989, but
model's designation remains - thus, more or less, if you have an FM2n, by judging
from the shutter, you should have a rough idea of the year made). The model was generally
referred as FM2n or New FM2 in Japan.

The aim is high indeed, because
based on an internal technical information guide, the improved Titanium shutter has
a target endurance of achieving a minimum of 100,000 exposure cycles (Approx. 2,777
rolls of 36 exposures), i.e. two-third the target of the professional class models
of minimum 150,000 ! Most of the camera in its class and competition were only aim
at 50,000 cycles. Began from 1985, with the exception of the FM2 (With X200 sync), the shutter blades for the titanium
shutter can be ordered as parts, which is shared among all the early FM2n (models
before 1989), FE2 and the FA. The blades for the original FM2 is separate from the
part list (Check with your Local Nikon distributors). Why is it important ? Oh...
replacement parts is always cheaper than replacing the whole shutter, huh ?

W A R N I N
G: The
New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no
aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES
with any of these manual focus Nikon
FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained
herein this site where it relates.

| Message Board|
for your Nikkor
optics("shared"
because I do wish some of you to expose to other's perspective as well. Isn't it
a sad sate to see photography has to be segmented into different camps from the use
of various labels)

Credit: Chuck Hester for some of his beautiful images used
in this site; TedWengelaar®,Hollandfor
his continuous flow of input; LarsHolstHansen, Danish 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion;
Mr Poon from Poon photo for their input; Ms Miss Rissa (Sales Manager) & members of the Technical
Service dept. of Shriro Malaysia, local distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia
& Singapore, in providing so many useful input to make this site possible. Special
thanks to Mr MC
Lau, who has helped
with his images of the MF-12 databack. Michael Tan, Pertama Photo (603-2926505) for
lending his original Titanium Shutter Display Unit. Dave Hoyt who has prepared the introductory page and offer some images of his
FE2 in this site.. Hiura Shinsaku, Nikomat ML, Japan
for his contribution on all the various images; A contributing site to a long
lost friend
on the Net. Note: Certain content
and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets,
brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator
of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such
possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat",
"Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan.
Made
witha PowerMac.